Safety trigger lock for firearms



Nov. 20, 1962 c. w. NEWSON, sR

SAFETY TRIGGER LOCK FOR FIREARMS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 27, 1961 Clarence W Newsan, 5/:

IN VENTOK Nov. 20, 1962 c. w. NEWSON, SR 3,064,383

" SAFETY TRIGGER LOCK FOR FIREARMS Filed Jan. 27, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Efidfi Patented Nov. 20, 1962 3,064,383 SAFETY TRIGGER LOCK FOR FIREARM Clarence W. Newson, Sr., 854 W. 3rd N., Salt Lake City, Utah Filed Jan. 27, 1961, Ser. No. 85,397 8 Claims. (CI. 42-70) This invention relates to novel and useful improvements in safety trigger locks for firearms of the type including a trigger and a trigger guard therefor. The safety trigger lock of the instant invention is specifically adapted to be mounted upon numerous types of firearms of the above described type and to provide a novel means for securing the trigger lock on the firearm and locking the trigger thereof in a forwardmost position thereby preventing the firearm from being fired.

There have been many types of safety trigger locks for firearms devised in the past but most of these have had various types of drawbacks such as being suitable for securement to only a particular type of firearm having a particular type of trigger guard and positioning of a trigger relative to the trigger guard. Thus, many of the previous types of safety trigger locks have not been adapted for securement to a wide variety of firearms and it was therefore necessary for a hunter or the like to have a separate trigger lock for each firearm he possessed in order that the firearm he was presently using could be equipped with a safety trigger lock adapted to prevent accidental firing of the firearm.

The main object of this invention is to provide a safety trigger lock for firearms constructed in a manner whereby a single trigger lock may be readily secured to a plurality of different types of firearms in order that a hunter possessing five or six firearms might possibly be able to fit a single trigger lock to each of his firearms.

A further object of this invention, in accordance with the preceding object, is to provide a safety trigger lock which is adapted to be secured to conventional bolt action firearms as well as to firearms equipped with lever action.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a safety trigger lock which will, in addition to providing a means whereby the trigger of a firearm may not be moved rearwardly in order to discharge the firearm, but also provide a means whereby the entrance of dust and other foreign materials such as sand and the like will be prevented from coming in contact with the trigger mechanism of the firearm.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a safety trigger lock for firearms which will, in addition to completely enclosing the trigger guard and trigger of the firearm, also provide a positive abutment means for the trigger whereby the firearm may not he accidentally discharged by jarring the firearm.

A final object to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a safety trigger lock for firearms which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to operate so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a conventional form of firearm shown with the safety trigger lock of the instant invention secured thereto;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the firearm illustrated in FIGURE 1 adjacent the trigger thereof and showing the safety trigger lock with its side cover in an open position;

FIGURE 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by section line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an exploded perspective view of the safety trigger lock with the cover thereof shown in an open position;

FIGURE 4a is an enlarged perspective view of one of the abutment means of the safety trigger lock and whose function is to secure the trigger lock on the trigger guard of a firearm;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view similar to that of FIGURE 2 but showing a modified form of trigger lock;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the abutment member of the trigger lock illustrated in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 7-7 of FIGURE 5; and

FIGURES 8 and 9 are fragmentary side elevational views similar to those of FIGURES 2 and 5 but showing two further modifications of the safety trigger lock.

Referring now more specifically to FIGURE 1 of the drawings there will be seen a conventional form of firearm generally designated by the reference numeral 10 to which the safety trigger lock of the invention is secured.

The safety trigger lock is generally designated by the reference numeral 12. The firearm It) is a bolt action rifle and includes a trigger guard 14 and a trigger 16. The trigger guard 14 depends from the lower surface 18 of the stock 20 of the rifle and includes a pair of depending legs 22 and 24- which are interconnected at their lower ends by means of a curved bight portion 26.

The trigger lock comprises an upstanding elongated housing generally referred to by the reference numeral 28 and the housing 28 includes an upstanding elongated side wall 30 provided with a laterally directed bottom wall 32. The bottom wall 32 is arcuate and conforms generally to the curved bight portion 26 of the trigger guard 14. The bottom wall 32 includes an enlarged portion 34 on its forward end which is provided with a threaded bore (not shown) in which a headed fastener 36 is threaded'ly engaged. The shank (not shown) of the headed fastener 36 passes through an aperture (not shown) formed in the forward end of a cover side wall 38 and pivotally mounts the cover side wall 38 to the housing 28 for movement about an axis extending transversely of the housing.

It will be noted that the cover side wall 38 also includes a bottom wall 410 which is aligned with the bottom wall 32 when the cover side wall 38 is swung to the closed position as illustrated in FIGURE 1 of the drawings. The bottom wall 40 comprises a limit and establishes the closed position thereof inasmuch as the upper surface thereof abuts against the lower surface of the bight portion 26 when the cover wall 38 is pivoted to the closed position.

A longitudinally extending slot 42 is formed in the upstanding side wall 39 and the first abutment means of the trigger lock 12 includes an elongated abutment element 44. The element 44 is of a greater width than the slot 42. and includes a laterally projecting abutment arm 46 on one end thereof which is slidably disposed in the slot 42. The element 44 is provided with a threaded bore 48 and a headed thumbscrew 50 has its shank portion 52 passed through the slot 42 and threadedly engaged in the bore 48. It will be noted that the shank 52 is also slidably disposed in the slot 42 and that the head 54 of the thumbscrew 51} is disposed in surface-to-surface contacting relation with the inner surfaces of the upstanding side wall 30 immediately adjacent the slot 42. The end of the element 44 remote from the abutment arm 46 is elongated opening 68 formed therein.

a laterally'defleeted to the side of the element 44 opposite towhich the arm 46 projects as at 56.

The second abutment means of the trigger lock 12 ineludes an elongated abutment member 58 which has an The upstanding side wall 30 has a threaded aperture 62 formed therein and a threaded shank rnember'64'h aving a diametrically enlarged head 66 on one end'has the other end passed through the elongated opening 6!} and threadedly engaged in the threaded-aperture 62. The diametrically enlarged 'head 66 frictionally engages the face of the abutment member 58 remote from the upstanding side wall 38 to frictionally retain the elongated abutment member 58 in adjusted position upon tightening of the threaded shank member 64 in the aperture 62.

It will be noted that the elongated abutment member 58 is provided with a laterally offset lower portion 68 whose free end defines an abutment surface disposed to abut the upper surface of the bight portion 26 a spaced distance inwardly from the side edge thereof abutting against the upstanding side wall 30.

In operation, the trigger lock 12 is first opened by pivoting the cover side wall 38 to the open position illustrated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings. Then, the trigger guard 14 and trigger 16 may be received laterally within the housing 24. The thumbscrew or fastener 50 is then slid longitudinally along the slot 42 until the abutment arm 46 engages the rear surface 70 of the trigger 16. The thumbscrew G is then tightened and the elongated abutment member is slid downwardly until the offset portion 68 thereof engages the upper surface 72 of the bight portion 26. The threaded shank member 64 is then tightened which will secure the housing 28 to the trigger guard 14 by clamping the bight portion 26 between the elongated abutment member 58 and the bottom wall 32 of the housing 28. Then, the cover side wall 38 is pivoted to the closed position illustrated in FIGURE 1 of the drawings.

It will be noted that both the forward and rear ends of the housing 28 are open in order that portions of a lever action firearm projecting forwardly and rearwardly of the trigger guard may have openings provided therefor.

Referring now more specifically to FIGURE 5 of the drawings there will be seen a modified form of trigger lock generally referred to by the reference numeral 76. The housing 78 and cover side wall 80 of the trigger lock 76 are substantially identical to the housing 28 and cover side wall'38 of the trigger lock 12 with the exception that the side wall 82 of the trigger lock 76 is provided with a pair of threaded bores 84 and 86 rather than the threaded aperture 62 and the slot 42 formed in the side wall 38. The first and second abutment means of the trigger lock 76 comprises an abutment plate generally referred to by the reference numeral 88. The abutment plate 88 has an aperture 90 formed therein and a threaded fastener 92 has its shank portion passed through the aperture 90 and threadedly engaged in the bore 84 to pivotally secure the abutment plate 88 to the side wall 82. The plate 88 is provided with an arcuate slot 94 having the aperture 90 as its center and a headed set'screw 96 has its shank portion 98 passed through the slot 94 and threadedly engaged in the bore 86. In this manner, the abutment plate 88 may be secured in adjusted rotated positions about the longitudinal axis of the threaded fastener 92'. The abutment plate 88- includes a pair of laterally projecting abutment lugs 100 and 102. It will be noted that upon pivotal movement of the plate 88 that the abutment lug 100* may be positioned behind the trigger of the firearm 104 with which the trigger lock 76 is engaged while at the same time the lower abutment surface of abutment lug 102 is engaged with the inner surface 106 of the trigger guard 108 carried by the firearm 104. In this manner, a single adjustment of the abutment plate 88 engages the abutment lug 100 be- 4 hind the trigger 103 and against the inner surface 106 of the trigger guard 188.

With attention now directed to FIGURE 8 of the drawings there will be seen a still further modified form of safety trigger lock generallyreferred to by the reference numeral 110 which is substantially identical to the trigger lock 76 with the exception being that the abutment plate 112 thereof is provided with a pair of laterally projecting abutment lugs 114 and 116whose upper and lower surfaces respectively define abutment surfaees and which comprise opposite end portions of a continuous arcuate wall 18. Otherwise, the trigger lock 110 performs in substantially the same manner as the trigger lock 78.

With attention finally directed to FIGURE 9' of the drawings there will be seen a further modification of the safety trigger lock generally referred to by the reference numeral 128 which is identical to the safety trigger lock 118 in all respects except that the arcuate abutment wall 122 thereof is somewhat longer than the arcuate wall 18. The lower abutment surface of the abutment wall 122 engages the trigger guard 124 at a point closer to the pivotal connection of the cover wall 126 of the safety trigger lock and is thereby slightly modified to enable it to be secured to firearms having slightly different trigger and trigger guard dimensions than the firearm generally designated by the reference numeral 128 to which the trigger guard 110 is secured.

It will be noted that the upper edges of the side and cover Walls of each of the housings are adapted to abut the lower surface of the stock of the firearm to which it is secured thereby further assisting the removable securement of the trigger locks to various types of firearms in a manner whereby the trigger locks will be rigidly secured thereto.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit theinvention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A safety trigger lock for firearms of the type'including a trigger guard and a trigger, said trigger lock comprising an upstanding elongated housing adapted to enclose said trigger guard, first adjustable abutment means carried by said housing and disposed therein and adapted for abutting engagement with said trigger to prevent rearward movement of the latter, and second adjustable abutment means carried by said housing and disposed therein and adapted for abutting engagement with said trigger guard for removably securing said housing to said guard, said housing including an elongated upstanding side wall, said side wall terminating at its lower end in a laterally directed bottom wall, a cover side wall, means movably mounting said cover side wall on said housing for movement between a closed position laterally aligned with said upstanding side wall and an open position out of lateral alignment with said upstanding side wall, said cover side wall, when in the closed position, extending upwardly from the outer edge of said bottom wall and generally paralleling said upstanding cover wall, said second adjustable abutment means being carried by said side wall and including an abutment surface movable toward and away from said bottom Wall and longitudinally of the latter.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first and second abutment means are separately adjustable.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first and second abutment means includes means for simultaneously adjusting said first and second abutment means.

4. A safety trigger lock for firearms of the type including a trigger guard and a trigger, said trigger lock comprising an upstanding elongated housing adapted to enclose said trigger guard, first adjustable abutment means carried by said housing and disposed therein and adapted for abutting engagement with said trigger to prevent rearward movement of the latter, and second adjustable abutment means carried by said housing and disposed therein and adapted for abutting engagement with said trigger guard for removably securing said housing to said guard, said first abutment means including an abutment element, means mounting said abutment element for guided linear movement longitudinally of said housing, a longitudinally extending slot formed in said upstanding side wall, said abutment element comprising an elongated member of a greater width than said slot, said elongated member disposed in sliding contacting relation with the outer surface of said upstanding side wall and including a laterally projecting arm on one end received through said slot and having a free end portion adapted to abut said trigger, a threaded bore formed in the other end of said elongated member, a headed fastener including a threaded shank portion and a diameterically enlarged head, said shank slidingly received in said slot and threadedly engaged with said bore with said head in frictional engagement with the adjacent inner surfaces of said upstanding side wall.

5. A safety trigger lock for firearms of the type including a trigger guard and a trigger, said trigger lock comprising an upstanding elongated housing adapted to enclose said trigger guard, first adjustable abutment means carried by said housing and disposed therein and adapted for abutting engagement with said trigger to prevent rearward movement of the latter, and second adjustable abutment means carried by said housing and disposed therein and adapted for abutting engagement with said trigger guard for removably securing said housing to said guard, said second abutment means including an elongated abutment member, a threaded aperture formed in said upstanding side wall, said abutment member having an elongated longitudinally extending opening formed therein, a headed and threaded shank member, said shank member passed through said opening and secured in said aperture with the head of said shank member disposed in frictional engagement with the portions of said abutment member remote from said upstanding side Wall adjacent said elongated opening.

6. The combination of claim 5, said first abutment means including an abutment element, means mounting said abutment element for guided linear movement longitudinally of said housing, a longitudinally extending slot formed in said upstanding side wall, said abutment element comprising an elongaetd member of a greater width than said slot, said elongated member disposed in sliding contacting relation with the outer surface of said upstanding side wall and including a laterally projecting arm on one end received through said slot and having a free end portion adapted to abut said trigger, a threaded bore formed in the other end of said elongated member, a headed fastener including a threaded shank portion and a diametrically enlarged head, said shank slidingly received in said slot and threadedly engaged with said bore with said head in frictional engagement with the adjacent inner surfaces of said upstanding side Wall.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first and second abutment means comprises an abutment plate, means pivotally securing said abutment plate to the inner surface of said upstanding side wall in surface-to-surface sliding contacting relation therewith for movement about an axis extending transversely of said housing, a pair of laterally projecting abutment lugs carried by said plate, spaced radially from said axis and adapted for engagement with the rear surface of a trigger and the inner surface of the lower portion of a trigger guard, and releasable means for securing said plate in adjusted rotated positions.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said plate has an arcuate slot formed therein having said axis as its center, said releasable securing means comprising a headed setscrew threadedly engaged in said upstanding side wall and passed through said arcuate slot.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,686,482 Windle Oct. 2, 1928 2,512,140 Childs et a1 June 20, 1950 2,590,516 Breymann Mar. 25, 1952 2,598,924 Lind June 3, 1952 2,742,726 Feller Apr. 24, 1956 

